Hi. I am an owner of a new 2010 Tucson (3 weeks old). I have recently noticed something that may be absolutely nothing but I thought I'd ask for opinions. We all know that when the air conditioner in any car is used for excessive time, the car will leak clear water and you will see a puddle under the car where you parked (especially when the weather is very hot). This has certainly been happening with my new Tucson which has not alarmed me when I see the water. What is alarming me though is that when the puddle under the car dries, it is drying on my driveway with a grayish spot or slight discoloration. I checked the water and it appears clear but I'm not sure. I can tell you that when this happened with my other previous Hyundai's, the water dried with no spot at all.

So, I guess the question is - is this spotting normal? And if it is not, is it possible that the car is leaking more than just water? Like I mentioned, it appears to look like water and feel like water but I'm not sure. All I know is that my driveway has many little gray dry spots all over it now.

I wouldn't be alarmed, It's probably just water. There would be nothing else to leak from the A/C drain other than anti freeze from the heater core. But you would clearly see if you had a coolant leak. It's just condensation. It would not be freon, if it were to vent freon from the A/C drain then your A/C system would drain in a mater or minutes and the A/C compressor would not turn on. I can't explain staining your driveway, so if your still blowing cold don't worry and enjoy your Tucson.

I wouldn't be alarmed, It's probably just water. There would be nothing else to leak from the A/C drain other than anti freeze from the heater core. But you would clearly see if you had a coolant leak. It's just condensation. It would not be freon, if it were to vent freon from the A/C drain then your A/C system would drain in a mater or minutes and the A/C compressor would not turn on. I can't explain staining your driveway, so if your still blowing cold don't worry and enjoy your Tucson.

Thanks for your feedback. Your answer seems to be the popular one that I don't need to worry about this. However, something still does not seem right to me. Clear water condensation should not create a grayish stain on my driveway. Everywhere I park, it shows up. My new black top driveway is not looking to good and when I try and clean it up (spray it down with a hose..), the stain does not go away. I'm not expert, but this does not sound like clear water to me. As mentioned, I never had this issue with my previous Hyundai's. I just want to make sure there is nothing wrong. I thinking I should contact the dealer or a Hyundai service department to get thir spin.

Thanks for your feedback. Your answer seems to be the popular one that I don't need to worry about this. However, something still does not seem right to me. Clear water condensation should not create a grayish stain on my driveway. Everywhere I park, it shows up. My new black top driveway is not looking to good and when I try and clean it up (spray it down with a hose..), the stain does not go away. I'm not expert, but this does not sound like clear water to me. As mentioned, I never had this issue with my previous Hyundai's. I just want to make sure there is nothing wrong. I thinking I should contact the dealer or a Hyundai service department to get thir spin.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Hey,
I just bought a 2010 brand new Santa Fe just over two weeks ago and I have been experiencing the same thing except instead of leaving a grayish stain mine is looks like water ( but is dry of coarse). My driveway is exposed conrete not asphalt. I took my vehicle into the dealership this morning convinced that there is a leak of some sort. They called back to tell me that it is perfectly fine and the only recommendation they had for me was to put a piece of cardboard down on the driveway and park accordingly. They also said that there is some kind of oil mixed with the water and that is why I am getting stains but it is government regulated to be eco-friendly. They also stated that whether I bought the hyundai or a toyota etc. I would experience the same thing.
I am going to call the sales rep for the region hopefully tomorrow. I find it hard to believe that automotive manufactures are building cars that will satin driveways.

I would also like to note I was told it was because of the kind of driveway I have. There is a chemical reaction as well as my driveway is unable to absorb the liquid unlike an aspalt driveway.

Maybe I should have bought a toyota since that is who I work for. I have been on holidays for two weeks so I am expecting to be razzed on Mon. when I go back. lol

Hey,
I just bought a 2010 brand new Santa Fe just over two weeks ago and I have been experiencing the same thing except instead of leaving a grayish stain mine is looks like water ( but is dry of coarse). My driveway is exposed conrete not asphalt. I took my vehicle into the dealership this morning convinced that there is a leak of some sort. They called back to tell me that it is perfectly fine and the only recommendation they had for me was to put a piece of cardboard down on the driveway and park accordingly. They also said that there is some kind of oil mixed with the water and that is why I am getting stains but it is government regulated to be eco-friendly. They also stated that whether I bought the hyundai or a toyota etc. I would experience the same thing.
I am going to call the sales rep for the region hopefully tomorrow. I find it hard to believe that automotive manufactures are building cars that will stain driveways.

I would also like to note I was told it was because of the kind of driveway I have. There is a chemical reaction as well as my driveway is unable to absorb the liquid unlike an aspalt driveway.

Maybe I should have bought a toyota since that is who I work for. I have been on holidays for two weeks so I am expecting to be razzed on Mon. when I go back. lol

Good luck, I will post my results with the sales rep.

Talked to the manager of the dealership that I bought the vehicle at today. He pointed out that he is not a mechanic but he has had no other complaints like this and to his knowledge there is no oil base in the condensor. He also stated that to be told to put cardboard down is not the answer. He plans to investigate it and come by my house today to see the driveway. He gave me the reps number and e-mail to contact her. She is on holidays until Mon.

Talked to the manager of the dealership that I bought the vehicle at today. He pointed out that he is not a mechanic but he has had no other complaints like this and to his knowledge there is no oil base in the condensor. He also stated that to be told to put cardboard down is not the answer. He plans to investigate it and come by my house today to see the driveway. He gave me the reps number and e-mail to contact her. She is on holidays until Mon.

Hi and thanks for the info. This is Frank the originator of the post. Your updates are appreciated. I would like to share one update as well. I did contact the dealer about this issue two weeks ago, and the person I spoke with said that the staining is normal during the car's "break-in" period. He was not exactly sure what might be mixed in with the water that is causing the stain but he did say its just a result of the new car breaking in and that it should stop on its own at a certain point. Well, I am happy to say that it appears that it has now stopped and I don't see anymore stains on my asphalt driveway (only the stains that were made initially). And believe me , with the hot weather here in my area, there is plenty of condensation under my car! My Tucson just hit 1,000 miles today, so give it some time and keep us informed. Thanks again.

Hi and thanks for the info. This is Frank the originator of the post. Your updates are appreciated. I would like to share one update as well. I did contact the dealer about this issue two weeks ago, and the person I spoke with said that the staining is normal during the car's "break-in" period. He was not exactly sure what might be mixed in with the water that is causing the stain but he did say its just a result of the new car breaking in and that it should stop on its own at a certain point. Well, I am happy to say that it appears that it has now stopped and I don't see anymore stains on my asphalt driveway (only the stains that were made initially). And believe me , with the hot weather here in my area, there is plenty of condensation under my car! My Tucson just hit 1,000 miles today, so give it some time and keep us informed. Thanks again.

If that is the case then it must be a coating that is applied to the evaporator that will eventually wear off.

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